Would you like to compliment your outfit with a beautiful piece of jewelry? Or do you want to bestow a friend with the perfect gift? This article discusses advice you can take to make the best selections.
Polish your jewelry regularly with a jeweler’s polishing cloth. You can keep your items shiny without using chemicals. It’s easy, just use the dual-sided cloth to wipe down your jewelry, just as you would polish a beautiful glass. The first side is designed to polish, while the other is for adding shine.
Polishing Cloth
When you are shopping for jewelry in sterling silver, be sure to examine the piece closely, and take along a magnet for metal testing. You can detect fake sterling silver with the magnet, since non-precious metals are drawn to magnets. You can generally tell genuine sterling silver by its stamp, which will look something like “.925 ster.” Be wary of pieces that lack any silver hallmarks, as this is an indication that they’re not genuine sterling silver.
Keep your jewelry looking like new by wiping it with a polishing cloth. A polishing cloth is a very gentle way to get a good shine on all your pieces. To clean your jewelry, obtain a soft two-sided cloth and gently rub in a circular motion. The first side is designed to polish, while the other is for adding shine.
When you are shopping for a diamond, make sure to shop around and compare. Look at what you like close up, and compare them to other pieces you have seen. Don’t fall for any of the tricks used by shady dealers. They employ these tactics to make a diamond look better than it really is.
Avoid using harmful substances like bleach, ammonia, acetone, turpentine and the like to clean them. This can dull your stones and eat away their enamel.
Pay attention to the type of metal they wear, such as white gold or yellow gold. Also notice if your loved one usually wears hoops or studs. These types of observations will provide a starting point to purchase an item they’ll cherish.
Be cautious about your jewelry storage. A better idea is to keep the pieces separate by using boxes, hooks, compartments or holders. Don’t just toss your jewelry in a pile. This can damage fragile, delicate jewelry, and necklaces can become very tangled in other jewelry pieces.
Check out the latest trends in jewelry before you pick up a new piece. Getting a nice piece of jewelry is good, but getting it at a discount is even better.
Sterling Silver
Costume jewelry does require some special care. Costume settings are often glued-in as compared to set-in. Don’t submerge costume jewelry in water or clean it with abrasives. The most effective way to safely clean them is wiping with a damp cloth, then drying with a different, soft cloth. This will ensure that all of your costume jewelry looks like it did the day you bought it.
If you are looking to purchase sterling silver jewelry make sure that you have a magnet with you and a good eye. You can detect fake sterling silver with the magnet, since non-precious metals are drawn to magnets. You can generally tell genuine sterling silver by its stamp, which will look something like “.925 ster.” If the piece that you are looking at is not hallmarked, this is usually the sign that it is a fake.
A brooch will accent your belt and will instantly add visual interest. You can pin in at the front-center of the belt or near the hip.
When you are shopping for diamonds, there are ways to compare the stones. Take a very close look at the piece you like, and then make the comparison to any others on your favorites list. Some diamond sellers use misleading practices to try to increase the apparent quality of their merchandise, so you should be wary of these tactics.
Before you purchase gemstone jewelry, you should first determine if and how the stone was treated. You will have to treat different gemstones with different kinds of care. Knowing the proper care techniques for your gemstone will prevent you from accidentally damaging it by stripping it of its protective treatment.
Do they often wear hoop earrings, or stud earrings? Do they show a preference for white or yellow gold? Just paying attention to what they wear now will make buying for them much easier than asking a salesperson.
It is important to pay attention to how the diamond is cut, and the clarity of the stone. To some people this is more important and appealing than the actual size. It is important to consider the character of the individual you are purchasing the diamond for.
Before you buy any new jewelry, you should look around for the latest trends. It is better to get a gorgeous bauble on sale!
Any piece of jewelry that wraps around and attaches, such as a necklace or a bracelet, absolutely must have a quality clasp. It is extremely easy to lose your valuable chains, pendants and stones with jewelry that has a flimsy clasp. For very expensive necklaces and bracelets, at least one safety clasp is recommended. Actually, some people opt for an additional clasp on more expensive pieces.
If you can prevent your jewelry from tarnishing, it will surely look much more attractive. Never wear your jewelry when you are going to be near water. Metals will often tarnish or rust when in contact with water. You can give your jewelry an additional layer of protection by applying a thin coat of clear nail polish to it.
Brand should not be the only consideration when purchasing jewelry. Not many people will be familiar with the brand, and if you allowed yourself to be persuaded by the jeweler to buy that brand, you more than likely paid far too much for the piece. Quality jewelry can be found across a variety of brands.
Your belt will get a little pizzazz if you accent it with a brooch like this. Try pinning it at the center of your waist or near your hip.
If you really want real gold pieces, high gold prices might be one of the only things to worry about. You can save a bit of money on a gold piece by getting lower karats. Gold that is 18-karats is made up of at least 75$ pure gold. It is considered to be the best gold on terms of price and quality.
Apply your makeup and let it set before putting on jewelry. Dust and grime from makeup gravitates towards jewelry, and putting on your jewelry first can leave it looking dull or dingy. This is extra important when you are cleaning necklaces or earrings.
Crystal or onyx stones both stand out and make bold statements. You may find some other type of stone that you really love at a very nice price.
Plastic Wrap
Over-sized, ornate pieces should only be worn with clean, simple outfits. Try wearing a simple black dress for a gorgeous and classy outfit.
You can untangle delicate necklaces that have become knotted. Don’t give up on getting the knots out, instead get a sheet of plastic wrap. Place the knotted necklace on the plastic wrap and coat it with baby oil. After the necklace has loosened, try to untangle it by hand. If this does not work, consider using a sturdy pin or needle. Be sure to use extra caution due to the slippery oil. Next, use dish soap to clean the piece. Finish by using a soft cloth to pat it dry.
Rubies have long been one of the most popular stones for jewelry and for good reason. While true rubies are always red, there are a myriad shades of red from vivid deep rose pinks to nearly maroon. As a gemstone, rubies are extremely dense. They are impervious to high pressures and corrosion. Their strength and unique beauty make them an excellent choice for most people.
It is important to pay attention to how the diamond is cut, and the clarity of the stone. To some people this is more important and appealing than the actual size. Keep the individual you are buying the diamond for in mind.
It is hard to determine whether a sapphire or a ruby is natural or synthetic. These gorgeous gems are physically and chemically the same, but synthetic stones are available at a much lower cost than naturally flawless stones. Before you buy a piece of jewelry sold as natural sapphire, get a reputable gemologist to examine it for natural inclusions.
This includes steam and dry saunas. The high heat and humidity in these areas can significantly damage your jewelry.
Wearing both gold and silver jewelry at the same time has become trendy. To do this well, you should have a jewelry item that has both gold and silver in it. If not, it seems unstylish or mismatched.
Comparison shopping for diamonds is critical. Every diamond is unique, and there will always be tiny flaws. Some flaws are less noticeable than others and may not bother you. Jewelers can price their diamonds differently according to the flaws in the diamonds. Try different jewelers and locate the most beautiful diamond you can afford to buy.
To keep the setting in good shape, clean it with a cloth that is just a little damp. Afterwards, dry off the whole piece with a cloth. Don’t use any type of chemical or steam on your costume jewelry.
You may not have to sell your gold jewelry to get money out of your necklaces and bracelets. All it takes is clipping off any excess material, usually only a few inches. You will still keep your piece intact so you can wear it. With several chains of real gold, you can earn a good bit of cash, even a couple hundred dollars, just by shaving a few inches off of your jewelry.
You can show your woman how much you adore her with a stunning piece of jewelry. All women are delighted when they receive a piece of jewelry, especially when it is unanticipated. Not only that, you get to see her beam with joy as she opens up that cute little box you gave her as a surprise.
Jewelry with onyx or crystal can make an impact and separate you from the crowd. There are many pleasing options that can save you money.
While toothpaste is not the perfect product for polishing silver jewelry, you can make it work when it’s your only option. A tiny amount of the toothpaste should be applied to a paper towel or soft cloth. Rub the tarnished jewelry with the paste, and then rinse or wipe off with water. Your finished product will not look flawless, but the tarnish will be removed.
The key to selling jewelery in craft shows or holiday sales is to display it in a way that attracts attention to the pieces. When you are out looking for materials to create your jewelry, remember to think about creative displays. Baskets, boxes, wig stands and various racks can be used to display your wares if you apply some creative thought.
Never clean jewelry in a sink without double-checking that you’ve plugged the drain first. If you are using soap to clean your jewelry, it is very easy to let it slip through your fingers into the sink. Do not forget plug the drain so you can get your jewelery back if it falls in the water.
Now that you know the basics of jewelry selection, you will be able to spot the best specimens of any type of jewelry, from gemstones to precious metals. Enjoy your jewelry buying, selling or wearing experience a little more now that you have the right information.
Regular cleanings are crucial to keeping your jewelry beautiful. Before beginning to clean any of your jewelry pieces, be certain that there aren’t any loose gemstones or breaks that could be further damaged by a cleaning. If so, take the item(s) to your local jeweler or gemologist and let them clean your item.